Nairobi, March 8 -- The government has defended the State's decision to increase charges for some of its services, including passports, identity cards, birth and death certificates, and work permit applications.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said this was a necessary move for the government to be able to offer these services.

The new fees, which will take effect as of March 1, 2024, will see the new charges ranging from double to ten times or more, from the previous costs.

"This charge is nothing new, it has been there for decades. The last time the prices were revised however was in the early 1990's, yet so much has changed since then. We must be ready and willing to help the government deliver these critical services. And even wi...